Letter: Better security investment

Airport security is in the news, based on the disappearance of a Malaysian 777. We have to remove our shoes, our belts and our jackets. We stand in long security lines waiting to go through full- body scanners, and if we haven't experienced one personally, we've all heard jokes about the full-body pat down. But, what about the validity of our passports?

With airport security in such disarray, I wonder why the TSA couldn't expand its Trusted Traveler program? Trusted Traveler allows low-risk travelers to pre-register with U.S. Customs, including a fingerprint scan, which can then be used to expedite airport security while traveling in and out of the country. The chance of using a fake passport is close to 0.

The TSA started a pilot program last year, called PreCheck, which allows passengers who submit to pre-approval to go through expedited lines, keep their shoes on, as well as keep their laptops and liquids in their bags. There is also a private company running a domestic version of this program, called CLEAR, but it is currently only available in a handful of airports.

These programs are clearly in their early stages, but they have potential to make airline travel a little easier -- and a lot safer. Maybe instead of spending millions of dollars every few years on new machinery, the TSA could invest the same resources into a speedier security system that puts less pressure on the passenger and provides security with good results.

If the TSA decides it wants to offer all Americans the chance to register for quicker security lines at the airport, I am certain thousands of people would line up for the chance. It seems that would be the better investment.